Bhubaneswar: A green corridor was created between AIIMS-Bhubaneswar and Biju Patnaik International Airport here on Sunday to airlift the 16-year-old, undergoing treatment for 70-75% burns after allegedly being set ablaze by three miscreants in Odisha’s Puri, to Delhi.
The Odisha government has confirmed that she would be airlifted to AIIMS-Delhi for advanced medical care.
The girl was taken in a life support ambulance at around 12.30 pm to Biju Patnaik International Airport from AIIMS Bhubaneswar. Traffic DCP Tapan Mohanty said they made a green corridor to take the patient to the airport in 10 minutes. She was then carried in an air ambulance to Delhi, accompanied by a special team of doctors.
Earlier in the day, AIIMS-Bhubaneswar director Ashutosh Biswas said that the health condition of the girl is stable. “Her blood pressure, which was low yesterday, has improved. It’s safe to transfer her. She will be shifted by a special chartered flight in the next 2 to 3 hours. It has already been communicated to AIIMS-Delhi,” he said.
A 14-member medical team was formed at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar to monitor the condition of the girl kept on oxygen support in the ICU. “She is responsive, but the depth of her burns is concerning,” said Head of the Burn Unit, AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, Dr Sanjay Giri.
The decision to airlift the girl was taken to ensure timely and advanced treatment, giving her the best possible chance at recovery, sources said.
This came hours after BJD, Congress and Left parties clashed with BJP workers in front of the burn unit of the hospital, where the minor girl from Puri is undergoing treatment for her injuries, prompting police to impose Section 163 of BNSS.
Notably, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had earlier assured that the girl will be airlifted to Delhi if advised by doctors treating her. “The doctors treating the girl are also in touch with experts of AIIMS-Delhi and the government is ready to airlift her if advised by the authorities here,” he said, while asserting harshest possible action against the miscreants.
The assault took place around 8.30 am on Saturday when the victim was on her way to her friend’s house carrying some books. The three attackers, riding a motorcycle, gagged her using a handkerchief on a deserted stretch and abducted her to the Bhargavi riverbank, where she was allegedly doused with an inflammable substance and set on fire.
The incident took place barely 500 metres from her house at Bayabar village under Nimapara block in Puri district. The victim, a class 8 dropout, suffered burn injuries on her back, abdomen and other parts. The girl was rescued by local people and initially admitted to Pipili hospital before being shifted to AIIMS-Bhubaneswar.